Twenty-eight days had passed, and 500 newly built NEAR-class bots were now fully operational. The starship in the old Arkbound bunker had reached 28% completion—a towering skeleton bristling with work lights and welded seams, powered by three glowing Aetheric Resonance Reactors.
Raen monitored the progress on his handheld console, flanked by Korin and Lira, who were making last-minute calibrations. Sparks flew as welders finished core struts. The ship's ramp stood open, silent and inviting.
He tapped his comm:
"Kael, confirm status."
Kael's voice crackled in return:
"New HQ and Arkbound Space buildings are roughly 80% complete. City groundwork's on schedule."
Raen nodded, then sent a follow-up:
"Immediately mobilize all 500 bots to the new HQ. Allocate 200 for finishing both HQ buildings—main and space division. The remaining 300 start the city build at once."
Kael responded almost instantly:
"Understood. Bots will be in position within hours."
Nyra then entered, her footsteps purposeful:
"Raen—urgent. In two days, the mayor wants to meet the Arkbound team on-site."
He turned to her, expression steady:
"Nyra, coordinate with Kael. Arrange bot logistics, ensure the assembly units and core equipment move to the new HQ seamless. I'll stay with Korin and Lira here until the starship is complete."
Nyra nodded:
"Consider it done."
Raen closed his eyes for a moment, then glanced back at the growing starship:
"Once complete, that ship—our ship—will transport our lab, people, and equipment. It will carry over 100 bots and at least a hundred staff."
Nyra let out a subdued whistle:
"It's insane."
He allowed a brief smile:
"That's the point."
He then shifted gears:
"We'll be deploying to the new sector soon. Kael, whilst handling the municipal meeting, I want you to hire a deputy—someone capable of managing daily construction logistics and client liaison."
Nyra caught his eye:
"And I?"
He turned fully to her:
"You'll take charge of the main Arkbound network—the central operations across both divisions. Saelyn later, once Space HQ is operational—he has his own assignment."
She saluted back:
"Understood."
As Nyra departed to manage the logistical pivot, Raen joined Korin and Lira before the reactor-lit hull:
"Twenty-eight days down. Seventy-two to go. Let's build the future."